Helicopter

A type of rotary-wing aircraft that is commonly used in wildfire detection, monitoring, and suppression efforts. In the context of firefighting, helicopters are versatile and valuable resources due to their ability to hover, land in tight spaces, and transport personnel, equipment, and supplies to remote locations. They can also be equipped with specialized devices, such as water buckets or tanks, to drop water or fire-retardant chemicals on fires. Helicopters can be used for reconnaissance, providing real-time information on fire behavior and conditions, and transporting firefighting crews, such as Hotshot teams and smokejumpers, to and from the fire line. In legal disputes related to wildfires, such as the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire, issues may arise concerning the availability, effectiveness, and coordination of helicopter resources, as well as the responsibility of various parties in managing and responding to the wildfire event using these assets.